NATO: Taliban Have Gained Momentum

KABUL (AP) -- An official with the NATO-led force in Afghanistan
concedes that the Taliban have gained momentum in their insurgency.

His comments come as the leader of the Taliban, Mullah Omar,
insists the insurgents have gained the upper hand and are winning the war.

Canadian Brigadier General Eric Tremblay says the NATO force
needs to "slow them down." Tremblay says the militants are aware that progress is being made in the country with international support. He says that's why the Taliban want to undermine the government.

In his message, the Taliban leader urged Afghans to break off
relations with what he calls "this stooge Kabul administration."
Mullah Omar says there will be no negotiations that would prolong the presence of foreign forces in the country.